New Mexico authorities have revealed new information about the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. 

During a press conference on Friday, chief medical investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell said she believed the 95-year-old Hackman died from a combination of heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease on or around Feb. 18. Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome roughly a week earlier. Hantavirus is a rare but potentially fatal disease spread by infected rodent droppings. 

Gene Hackman may not have known his wife had died, medical investigator says 

Hackman and his wife, along with one of their dogs, were discovered deceased in their home in Santa Fe on Feb. 26. While carbon monoxide poisoning was initially suspected, that was quickly ruled out. Further investigation shed light on the tragic circumstances that led to the couple’s death. 

Arakawa’s last known activity occurred on Feb. 11, when she ran errands in Santa Fe before returning to the home she shared with Hackman. There were unread emails and no outgoing communication on her computer after Feb. 11, leading authorities to believe she died that day. Hackman appears to have lived for another week, based on his pacemaker activity. 

“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Jarrell said. “I’m not aware of what his normal daily functioning capability was. He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.” Alzheimer’s was “a contributing factor,” she added.

While it is not possible to know Hackman’s state of mind in the days after Arakawa’s death, “it’s quite possible he was not aware [his wife] was deceased,” Jarrell said. 

While Hackman and Arakawa’s cause of death has been determined, the case will remain open as authorities tie up “loose ends,” said Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza. That includes completing a necropsy of the couple’s dog and further examination of cellphone data.  

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